Day 3

We made it to Dublin! Already, the tone and pace is miles slower than London.

We made our way through the Heathrow Airport, Terminal 1... What a place! It had a very strange old feel to it, like we walked into the 60's or something. The security was not bad, but very rushed. Definately a feeling of HURRY HURRY HURRY to it!!!

The flight from London to Dublin was short. Maybe... an hour? It wasn't bad. Dublin Airport was great... the staff was very friendly and helpful, not at all accusitory or angry! It was a delightful change from being at Heathrow... Got the cab no problem and half hour after landing we were at.... one of the most beautiful hotels I've ever been to!

Finnstown Hotel Lucan is amazing. The place is posh beyond compare, especially after staying the last two days at Holiday Inn (which was a fine place for sleeping by the way!) Finnstown is decorated with beautiful fabrics, wonderful artwork, taxidermy, regal furniture, and many, many bars! The drinking age is 18 here, but no one pays any mind to that... and to that end, Anna enjoyed a cider!!!!

I am very happy to be with Dennis, and his co-workers. It's nice to be among people that we actually know! One of his co-workers who is a local here in Dublin has a brother in law who is a cab driver who will be driving us around Dublin on Friday! How exciting!!!! In addition, Anna and I are invited to the after work events, including the dinner this evening (of which I am still full from, 2 hours later) and the Guiness tour tomorrow!!!!!!!!! There is also a Valentine's Ball on Saturday that Dennis and I are going to get to go to, dinner, dancing, live music... Thanks, Microsoft! I guess it makes up for the lack of Holiday Party! :D

The dinner that we got to tkae par tin this evening was fabulous, included seafood chowder, a steak covered in mushrooms and gravy and desert that made me cry a little bit... a warm lemon tart with whipped cream. The service here is stellar, and everyone is so friendly! Every single hotel employee that I have interracted with has been accomidating and very helpful. It's such a nice experience!

The internet isn't the greatest here, so I will do what I can to post regularly and even try and get a couple of photos up.